Ha’oom Fisheries Society is partnering with ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation) to revitalize haaʔuukmin (The Great Feast Bowl), also referred to as the Kennedy Watershed. This project builds off several past initiatives and engagement work, including the haaʔuukmin (Kennedy Watershed) Round Table, a series of meetings with technical groups working on the haaʔuukmin watershed (ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ, Ha’oom Fisheries Society, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Redd Fish Restoration, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada). The goals of this table were to share expertise, develop goals and measurable indicators, and to co-create a ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ haaʔuukmin Salmon Rebuilding Plan outline which was completed in 2024.
To support this process, Ha’oom Fisheries Society will work with ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ to incorporate gaps for rebuilding the haaʔuukmin suuḥaa into the haaʔuukmin Rebuilding Plan, implement the revitalization of the traditional gear type – the Ilthpaya Rock Weir, draft ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ haaʔuukmin Salmon Rebuilding Plan, create a photo essay or short film about the project, implement the enhancement assessment plan using Passive Integrated Transponder tags, and support and coordinate a ceremony or feast to celebrate the revitalization of the hiłp̓iiʔa (Ilthpaya) weir.
The expected outcomes are a collaboratively developed rebuilding plan with clear indicators, improved salmon monitoring and broodstock collection through the hiłp̓iiʔa weir, strengthened cultural connections to haaʔuukmin suuḥaa via traditional practices, and a foundation for long-term salmon recovery in haaʔuukmin.
“We are excited for the funding for this important fish management tool. This tool will play a role in re-invigorating our role in the watershed as stewards and will give us the best chance of leading our fish stocks to abundance.”
– Saya Masso, Natural Resources Manager, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation
